Oklahoma On Pace For 10-Year Low In Traffic Deaths

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the state is on pace for its fewest number of traffic-related fatalities in more than a decade.

The Patrol reported Monday there have been 621 people killed on Oklahoma roadways so far in 2010, more than 100 fewer than the 729 reported killed during the same time last year.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Capt. Chris West says an increase in seat belt use and aggressive law enforcement has helped contribute to the decline.

West reported the previous ten-year low was 671 traffic-related deaths in 2003. The highest number of traffic deaths in the last decade was 800 in 2005.